CVE-2026-91160 OpenWA: A read-only API key can receive a session pairing QR over the WebSocket event stream
A read-only API key can receive a session pairing QR code, allowing attackers to link external devices and access WhatsApp messages.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-91160?
CVE-2026-91160 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in rmyndharis OpenWA, published on 24 Sep 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
OpenWA is a free, open source, self-hosted WhatsApp API gateway. Prior to 0.23.5, the /events WebSocket gateway delivers the session.qr event to a VIEWER API key that subscribes by event name or through either wildcard subscription form, even though GET /api/sessions/{sessionId}/qr requires the OPERATOR role. When an allowed session is waiting to be paired, the exposed QR lets the key holder link an external device to the WhatsApp account and then read and send messages outside OpenWA and its audit trail. Keys restricted through allowedSessions remain limited to those sessions, and deployments that issue only OPERATOR or ADMIN keys are not affected. This issue is fixed in version 0.23.5.
Weakness: CWE-862
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-91160?
How do I fix CVE-2026-91160?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-91160 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2026-91160 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-91160 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-m427-j4h4-9qwj.